Hair curlers



M. MITCHELL July 24, 1962 HAIR CURLERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1960 July 24, 1962 M. MITCHELL 3,045,683

HAIR CURLERS Filed July 5, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NV EN TOR. M11 76] 272i 7/ M. MITCHELL July 24, 1962 HAIR CURLERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5, 1960 INVENTOR. M71761 NI'Z Ze/Z W UM Unite States This invention relates to the styling of hair, and more particularly to a new and improved combination cap and curl-forming device which enables the user to form curls on the entire head or on difierent portions thereof.

At the present time, when a woman wishes to put her hair in curls, it is necessary to spend a great deal of time with pins, clips or other hair-styling implements while she sits with a mirror in her lap, or sits in front of a dressing table with a mirror upon it and spends quite some time and effort with the added discomfort of having her hands above her head, which is quite tiring. With the instant invention the user simply purchases a cap member that has been pre-styled for the particular hairdo she wishes, straps it upon her head after her hair has been dampened and combed straight back, turn the handles or knobs of the curling devices secured within the cap, let the hair dry and remove the cap. When the operation has been completed, coif curls are formed on the head where desired.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cap member having detachably and rotatably embedded therein a plurality of curl-form ing members that enable the user to quickly form a plurality of coif-curls upon the head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved curl-forming device that eliminates the necessity of having the hair to be curled excessively wet before commencing the curling operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hair-curling device that eliminates the use of pins, clips or other well-known hair curling implements when forming curls in a head of hair.

Another object is to provide a hair-curling device that may be used in a darkened room without the use of a mirror, or the like, and wherein the user may form the curls in a very short period of time, thus eliminating arm and hand fatigue so common when performing this chore with devices known today.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved curling device that curls each hair from the scalp and provides a true curl, leaving no straight hairs at the scalp.

The above and other objects of the invention will appear more fully from the following more detailed description, and from the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a womans head showing the cap member mounted thereon with curling members in place and the cap partially cut-away to provide one style of coiffure.

FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1, with the exception that the cap member shown provides curls on the front top of the head only.

FIG. 3 shows the cap covering the entire head of hair.

FIG. 4 shows the cap covering the back of the head of hair, leaving the front top open so that the user may form a different type of coiffure in the open portion of said cap member.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a small area of cap style.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the curling device per se taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, and showing how the device is detachably and rotatably secured within the cap member.

FIG. 7 is an elevation of a small portion of the curling device looking in the direction of the arrows 77 of FIG. 6, showing how the teeth of the device are located in concentric circles.

FIG. 8 is a modification of the device showing a IQQ womans head without the cap, but with individual curling units secured to the hair.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of a modified form of the device taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a section taken substantially along line Iii-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlargement of the area circled in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a section taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a modification of the device, taken in the direction of the arrows 13-43 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a modified form of cap showing a modified curling member in place thereon.

FIG. 15 is a section taken substantially along line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is another modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 17 is an elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows 17-17 of FIG. 16.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 20 designates a cap member formed of rubber, or the like, said cap being designed to provide different cut-out portions therein to form various coiffures and to fit snugly upon the head and having a chin strap 21 to hold it in place on the head. The cap has a plurality of round openings 22 therein between which is formed a plurality of triangularly-shaped cut-out portions 71 to allow for faster drying and cooling of the cap, and each opening 22 has formed therein a circumferential groove 23 adapted to detachably and rotatably receive a hair-curling device 24the same being formed of rubber, plastic, or the like, comprising a spindle 26, tubular in shape and having the bottom thereof 26, corrugated, see FIG. 17. The upper portion of spindle 25 is cone-shaped, as at 27, to form a bearing member or stabilizer adapted to rotatably seat within an arc-shaped recessed portion 28 formed in the hollow handle member 29. At the base of the cone 27 a disc-portion 35 is provided having formed therebelow a circumferential groove 31 adapted to receive and act as a bearing for disc-like portion 34 of tooth-supporting member 32 which in turn supports teeth 33. An opening into hollow handle 29 allows upper portion of spindle 25 to pass therethrough. Spindle 25 also has thereon shoulder portions 35 which tend to give full support to portion 34 as handle 29 is rotated. As will be seen best in FIG. 7, the teeth 33 are formed concentrically, not staggered. The outer perimeter 36 of tooth supporting frame 32 snaps into circumferential groove 23 which groove not only holds the device in cap opening 22, but allows the same to rotate freely within said groove 23. Spindle 25 and corrugations 26 protrude approximately one-thirty-second of an inch below the bottom of teeth 33.

In FIG. 9 there is disclosed an alternate form of the invention wherein the device comprises a handle 3? having formed integrally therewith a round tooth-carrying portion 42, which in turn supports teeth 43, a bottom portion 40 having a slot 41 formed therein, and a plurality of tab members 44 spaced about the circumference of bottom 40. The central portion of said bottom 40 extends upwardly, as at 45, and has therein a circumferential groove 46 to correspond with a circumferential groove in handle member 39, and in said groove 46 there are provided stops, one 48 on the handle and one 49 on the base 40. Bottom 40 has an opening therein, 51, adapted to receive a plug member 52 which plug member hasthereon an upright saw-toothed portion 53, FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 discloses another alternate form of the invention adapted to be used with a cap member 55 in which has been cut a plurality of triangularly-shaped air openings 59 and cap openings 67 to receive the curling device. Here the curler consists of a handle member 54 and a tooth supporting portion 56, a central circular spindle member 68 having a corrugated bottom portion 60. A circumferential groove 57 is formed in the tooth supporting member and a projection 69 is formed on the handle adapted to ride in said groove 57 and form a bearing, and a ring member 58 acts as a stop to keep the curler snug within openings 67 of cap 55.

A still further alternate form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. This type of curler is used without a cap member and comprises a handle 61 and tooth-supporting portion 62. A central spindle member 65 contains a slit or slot 64, shown best in FIG. 17. The corrugated bottom of spindle 65 has secured thereto pposed tab member 63. A circumferential groove 66 is provided in tooth-supporting member 62 and a projection 80 is formed in said handle member 61 adapted to ride in said groove 66 and act as a bearing therefor, whereby the handle portion of the curler may be rotated while spindle 65 remains stationary.

The manner in which the device operates is as follows:

When the user wishes to curl her hair using the preferred form of the invention, FIG. 6, she has simply to slightly dampen the hair, or if it has just been washed, be sure that the hair is nearly dry before applying the cap. The hair is then combed straight back and the cap selected to correspond with the coiffure desired. The cap, with the curling devices secured therein, is then fastened upon the head and the strap snapped shut to hold the cap in place. Spindle 25, which should be molded of hard rubber, with its corrugated portion 26, contacts the hair next to the scalp and remains stationary while handle 29 is rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Coneshaped stabilizer 27, which seats within arc-shaped recess 28 in knob 29, allows curler portion 32 to be free from spindle and prevents the curlers from being pressed too closely together. The cone portion allows the curler to turn freely and keeps the spindle tight to the scalp so it will not turn and the tooth-carrying portion 32 turning in circumferential groove 31 in spindle 25 and also rotating in circumferential groove 23' in cap 20. Teeth 33, which in turn are mounted in concentric circles on handle portion 32, turn and gather the hair between teeth 33 into a coif curl. The user may use both hands to turn two knobs at a time so that the entire area to be curled is quickly completed. The curls will not unroll due to the teeth in the curlers and the snugness of the cap. In this manner each curl is formed curling outwardly from the scalp and all the hair is not pulled together leaving straight hair at the scalp. If the device is used late in the evening, the user may sleep with the cap on and when it is removed in the morning coif curls have been formed. If the user wishes to accelerate the process she has simply to purchase an electric heating cap and use same over the curling cap for fast drying of the hair.

The knobs may also be turned electrically, if desired, and if a device of that character is used to turn the knobs, the user should start turning the knobs one at a time beginning one curl at top of head on one side and then on the other side of the head. This will eliminate pulling. Turning two curlers close together would tend to wind hair in both curlers.

It will be seen from the above description that this method lets each hair begin curling right from the scalp. It is less tiring to put hair up in curls and much faster. No mirror or special light is needed to see what you are doing; no pins or clips need be applied and this method is gentle on the hair and scalp.

When using the alternate device shown in FIG. 9, the user has simply to remove plug member 52 from opening 51 in bottom 40 which has therein a serrated portion 50 thereon. The device is then brought in contact with the hair and the plug returned to the position shown in FIG. 9 with a strand of hair therein. As knob 39 is turned in a clockwise direction, hair is drawn through slot 41 and onto teeth 43, FIG. 13. When the hair has been tightly wound on teeth 43, knob 39 may be released and the hair will not unwind because stops 48, 49, in circumferential groove 46, prevent same from turning counter-clockwise. These individual curlers may be placed about the hair at will, as shown in FIG. 8.

The alternate device shown in FIG. 15 is also for use with a cap member 55, FIG. 14. Here, as in the other disclosure, the spindle 68 has a corrugated bottom which contacts the scalp and the handle 54 rotates in opening 67 in the cap 55 with a split ring 58 to retain same. A circumferential groove 57 allows rib member 69' movement in said groove and acts as a bearing. As knob 54 is rotated, teeth 56 in turn are rotated while spindle 68 remains stationary and the hair is picked up from the head and wound between the concentrically-positioned teeth 5 6 and a curl is formed. The knob 54 may be turned either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The triangular openings 67 in the cap aid in the drying operation of the hair.

The disclosure in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 is used without a cap member and has a pair of opposed strap members 63 secured to opposed sides of the corrugated bottom of spindle 65, which is split, as at 64, to allow the user to pull said straps or tabs which in turn spreads slot 64 so that hair can enter same. As in the other disclosures, the spindle 65 remains stationary on the scalp hair while knob 61 is rotated and the hair follows a circuitous path between the concentrically located teeth members 62 secured to the flat portion of knob 61. A circumferential groove is provided, 66, which in turn is adapted to receive rib projection which turns therein and acts as a bearing.

It will be seen from the above disclosures that there has been provided herein a new and unique means of forming coif curls in combination with a new and improved cap member that has formed therein predetermined cut-out portions to correspond with the style of coiffure desired by the user. Once the curling members have been inserted within the cap member, the user has simply to dampen the hair, brush or comb it straight back, and she is ready to use the device by applying the cap to her head and simply rotate the knobs on top of the curling members until each one is tight and each one has formed a curl. The tight-fitting cap prevents the curler from slipping or unwinding and the cap can he worn to bed without too much discomfort. It the process needs to be accelerated, a heating means may be applied over the cap and the hair dried within the hour. There are also disclosed separate types of curling means that may be used without the cap member if the user so desires, but in either case the user will find that this method eliminates tiresome lengthy use of pins, clips, etc., when forming curls upon the head, and eliminates excessive moisture needed with most operations of this type and does away with a mirror and strong light to see What the user is doing. Also with this type of curling device the hairs of the head are lifted straight from the scalp so that the finished curl is complete with no loose ends. The user is not limited as to size of curlers used. As the device does curl each hair from the scalp, curlers do not have to be real small--in fact sometimes it is best to have small curls around the edge of the hair and larger curls on top so that when the curls are brushed out they leave waves. In the manufacture of the curlers it should be kept in mind that the larger they are made the more they should be curved to fit the contour of the head.

While I have described and illustrated a satisfactory device that has proven highly successful in practical operation, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to specific constructional details shown and described, but that many changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the principles of my invention.

Iclaim:

1. A device for curling hair comprising, in combination,

a cap member adapted to fit upon a human head, said cap having cut-out portions therein and a plurality of openings, means in said cap member within each of said openings rotatably mounting a hair curler therein having a portion thereof extending into the cap member to perform a curling operation when the cap is applied to the head of a user and having a portion projecting radially outwardly from the cap so as to be accessible to the hands of the user, each said hair curler comprising a spindle member to fit snugly against the hair of the head and remain stationary thereagainst, a curling member within the cap member rotatably supported by said spindle member comprising a disc-portion having a plurality of elongated teeth members secured concentrically with the spindle member and a knob member built integrally with said disc-portion to rotate said curling member within said cap member and gather hair from said head within said teeth members to form curls therein.

2. A device for curling hair comprising, in combination, a cap member adapted to fit upon a human head, said cap having cut-out portions therein and a plurality of openings having circumferential grooves therein, hair curler means rotatably mounted in each of said openings, each having means co-acting with one of said grooves, each hair curler means when assembled having a portion extending into the interior of the cap member to perform a curling operation and having a portion extending radially outwardly from the cap member so as to be accessible to the hands of the user, each said hair-curler means comprising a spindle member having a tapered bearing portion on one end and its opposite end corrugated to fit snugly and stationary upon a human head of hair, a curling member rotatably supported upon said spindle member comprising a disc-portion having elongated teeth members concentrically with the spindle member adapted to rotatably tit within said circumferential grooves in said cap member, a knob member built integrally with said disc-portion adapted to receive said tapered bearing portion of said spindle so that when said knob member is rotated it in turn rotates said teeth supporting member and gathers hair therebetween to form curls.

3. A device for curling hair comprising a spindle having the lower end thereof corrugated and the upper portion thereof tapered to form a bearing, a tooth supporting disc member rotatably supported upon said spindle, having elongated teeth mounted concentrically With the spindle, a knob member built integrally with said tooth supporting member adapted to receive the tapered portion of said spindle so that when said knob member is rotated it in turn rotates said teeth supporting member and gathers hair therebetween to form curls.

4. A device for curling hair comprising, in combination, .a cap member adapted to fit upon a human head, said cap having a plurality of openings therein, means in said cap member within each of said openings rotatably mounting a hair curler therein having a portion thereof extending into the cap member to perform a curling operation when the cap is applied to the head of a user and having a portion projecting radially outwardly from the cap so as to be accessible to the hands of the user, each said hair curler comprising a spindle member adapted to fit snugly against the hair of the head and remain stationary thereagainst, a curling member rotatably supported upon said spindle member comprising a disc-portion having teeth members mounted therein, a knob member built integrally with said disc-portion, the upper portion of said knob member passing through an opening in said cap member and a ring member adapted to fit over the upper portion of said knob member on top of said cap member to hold said hair-curling device rotatably within said cap member.

5 A device for curling hair comprising a spindle memher the lower portion of which is slit and corrugated to contact a portion of a head of hair and hold said spindle stationary thereagainst, opposed tab members formed integrally with the slit-bottom portion of said spindle member, a tooth-supporting portion having teeth mounted thereon rotatably mounted upon said spindle member, a knob portion formed integrally with said tooth supporting portion to rotate said tooth supporting portion once hair has been secured between said slit bottom portion of said spindle member.

6. A device for curling hair comprising, in combination, a cap member adapted to fit upon a human head, said cap member having cut-out portions therein and a plurality of openings, means in said cap member within each of said openings rotatably mounting a hair curler therein having a portion thereof extending into the cap member to perform a curling operation when the cap is applied to the head of a user and having a portion projecting radially outwardly from the cap so as to be accessible to the hands of the user, each said hair curler when rotated within said cap openings operating to gather hair from said head and to form same into curls.

7. A device for curling hair comprising, in combination, a cap member adapted to fit upon a human head, said cap having predetermined cut-out portions to correspond with the style of coifiure desired by the user, a plurality of openings in said cap member, means in said cap member within each of said openings rotatably mounting a hair curler therein having a portion thereof extending into the cap member to perform a curling operation when the cap is applied to the head of a user and having a portion projecting radially outwardly fi'om the cap so as to be accessible to the hands of the user, each said hair curler when rotated within said cap openings operating to gather hair from said head and to form same into curls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,454,558 Kleinsmith Nov. 23, 1948 2,515,751 Warrington et all July 18, 1950 2,575,589 Glick Nov. 20, 1951 2,767,719 Warholak Oct. 23, 1956 

